If you walked out of The Housemaid thinking that felt a little too delicious to be one-and-done, congratulations, Lionsgate agrees. The psychological thriller starring Sydney Sweeney didn’t just make noise at the box office, it practically screamed for a follow-up. And now, that scream has been answered.
Thanks to its impressive financial performance $133 million worldwide in just two and a half weeks, The Housemaid has officially earned itself a sequel. Titled The Housemaid’s Secret, the next chapter will adapt the second novel in Freida McFadden’s bestselling trilogy, and it’s already moving quickly behind the scenes. The project has reportedly been in development for months, with production expected to kick off later this year, per Variety.
The creative dream team is staying intact, too. Director Paul Feig is back, as are stars Sydney Sweeney and Michele Morrone. Considering how strongly audiences responded to the first film’s twisted energy and sharp performances, that continuity feels less like a surprise and more like a necessity.
The Housemaid Is Officially Getting A Sequel
In the original film, Sweeney played Millie, a woman desperate to outrun her past who takes a live-in housemaid job with wealthy couple Nina and Andrew Winchester, played by Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar. Of course, nothing is as polished as it seems. Secrets pile up, power dynamics flip, and Millie finds herself entangled in a dangerous psychological game. Morrone’s Enzo, the Winchesters’ groundskeeper, becomes a key ally, while Elizabeth Perkins rounds out the cast in the R-rated thriller.
Financially, the film hit the sweet spot. With a $35 million budget and $75.7 million earned domestically, The Housemaid proved that adult thrillers with star power still have serious box office appeal. The use of Taylor Swift’s “I Did Something Bad” over the end credits didn’t hurt either, perfectly underscoring the film’s morally messy vibe while teasing that Millie’s story was far from finished.
Lionsgate motion picture group chair Adam Fogelson made it clear the sequel was driven by audience demand, pointing to both the global box office numbers and the loud social media response. According to him, viewers didn’t just enjoy the ride, they want to know what happens next. And with The Housemaid’s Secret already a proven hit on the page, the studio is confident lightning can strike twice.
Screenwriter Rebecca Sonnenshine will return to adapt the sequel, reuniting with producers Todd Lieberman, Paul Feig, and Laura Fischer. Sweeney and McFadden are also back as executive producers, alongside Carly Elter and Alex Young. In other words, the same people who nailed the tone the first time are steering the ship again.
Many fans are happy
Paul Feig echoed that excitement, noting how rewarding it’s been to watch audiences connect so strongly with the film and its characters. He also highlighted how fortunate the team is that McFadden has already extended Millie’s story in the novels, giving them rich material to work with moving forward.
Amanda Seyfried even hinted that a sequel was inevitable before the official announcement dropped. While she suggested Nina Winchester may only appear in a smaller capacity, she made it clear she’s more than happy to jump back into that world, especially with so much still left to explore between Millie and Enzo.
However, not all fans were happy about the announcement, especially since actress Amanda Seyfried wasn’t mentioned to be returning. “Not every film needs a sequel,” one person wrote via X. “No Amanda = No Sales,” said another. “Will be interesting to see how well it performs since let’s be serious Amanda completely stole the show with her more juicier role. They are gonna need another strong actress to carry Sydney,” a third person chimed in.
With over 12 million copies sold worldwide and the second book accounting for four million of those, McFadden’s Housemaid series has already proven its staying power. Now, with The Housemaid’s Secret heading to the big screen, Millie’s carefully calculated chaos is officially back, and audiences are clearly ready for another mess.
